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Jon Lord Obituary

LONDON (AP) - British rocker Jon Lord, former keyboardist for the band Deep Purple, died Monday. He was 71 years old.

A statement on Lord's official website says the Leicester, England-born musician suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism in London after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Lord co-wrote some of Deep Purple's most famous tunes, including "Smoke on the Water," and later had a successful solo career following his retirement from the band in 2002. The statement posted on Lord's website said he died "surrounded by his loving family."

Earlier this month, Lord canceled a performance of his Durham Concerto in Germany. At the time, his website assured fans that it was "not a matter for concern, but it is a continuation of his regular treatment that has just taken longer than anticipated."

Lord had written to fans last year saying he was fighting cancer and would be taking a break from performing "while getting the treatment and c ure."

"I shall of course be continuing to write music - in my world it just has to be part of the therapy - and I fully expect to be back in good shape next year," he wrote in August 2011.

Lord got his musical start playing piano, first taking classical music lessons before shifting to rock and roll.

After moving to London to attend drama school, he joined blues band the Artwoods in 1964 and later toured with The Flowerpot Men - known for their hit "Let's Go To San Francisco" - before joining Deep Purple in 1968.

Deep Purple went on to sell more than 100 million albums before splitting in 1976.

Lord went on to play with Whitesnake and later, a re-formed Deep Purple.

LONDON (AP) - British rocker Jon Lord, former keyboardist for the band Deep Purple, died Monday. He was 71 years old.

A statement on Lord's official website says the Leicester, England-born musician suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism in London after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Lord co-wrote some of Deep Purple's most famous tunes, including "Smoke on the Water," and later had a successful solo career following his retirement from the band in 2002. The statement posted on Lord's website said he died "surrounded by his loving family."

Earlier this month, Lord canceled a performance of his Durham Concerto in Germany. At the time, his website assured fans that it was "not a matter for concern, but it is a continuation of his regular treatment that has just taken longer than anticipated."

Lord had written to fans last year saying he was fighting cancer and would be taking a break from performing "while getting the treatment and c ure."

"I shall of course be continuing to write music - in my world it just has to be part of the therapy - and I fully expect to be back in good shape next year," he wrote in August 2011.

Lord got his musical start playing piano, first taking classical music lessons before shifting to rock and roll.

After moving to London to attend drama school, he joined blues band the Artwoods in 1964 and later toured with The Flowerpot Men - known for their hit "Let's Go To San Francisco" - before joining Deep Purple in 1968.

Deep Purple went on to sell more than 100 million albums before splitting in 1976.

Lord went on to play with Whitesnake and later, a re-formed Deep Purple.

Guest Book Highlights

"My Dear Jon Lord. It is almost four years You leave oss. Today is like when was yesterday You was which oss. Nothing is changing except pain because You are gone. Almost every day I looking You playing hamond on my pc. I miss you very much. I can't..."- Vesna Koso (Gotenburg)

"Maestro descanse en paz"

"Jon has influenced and inspired many musicians and music fans. His sound and his kind to play his Hammond were fantastic, unique and full spirit. He was for me the father of the classical rock music and my ideal. I thank Jon for his wonderful and..."- Wenno (Germany)

"A gentlemen,a friend,a genius of music. The best bloody organist ever. Thank you Jon.i can see you sitting with Ludwig,all your peers composing one hellava piece of music."- rick messina (Wallingford, CT)

"Thanks for showing us your skills and your knowledge of music, you created the best melodies of all the history. RIP, Sir Jon Lord. -Jose Matute(Venezuela)."

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